Summer is in full swing and so are the myriad of events happening around wine country.
KELOWNA
Parks Alive
When you’re in Kelowna, make sure you take in some of the Parks Alive concerts. From July through to the end of August, there are over 50 events at various parks and stages throughout Kelowna. Suitable for all ages, there will be a huge selection of musical styles and genres, with some musical theatre thrown in for good measure. Best of all, it’s free! Go to festivalskelowna.com/events/ for full information, times and locations.
Downtown Kelowna Association Block Party
Bring the whole family to the DKA Block Party. This free event is on Saturday, July 22 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Come and enjoy community, food, entertainment, shopping, culture, and art, all in one place. It’s a street market with live entertainment, food vendors, and lots of fun activities. And it all takes place between the 200 to 500 blocks of Bernard Avenue (The Sails to St. Paul Street).
Rock the Lake
Like classic rock? This event is for you. Rock the Lake is a three-day event from August 11 to 13 and takes place in the Prospera Place parking lot in downtown Kelowna. If you need to cool off, the building is open so you can enjoy its full facilities including the concession stands, and restaurant. The festival grounds have food trucks, drinks, and VIP access. Bring your lawn chairs! This year’s lineup includes Collective Soul, Everlast, Burton Cummings, Big Wreck, Finger Eleven, Bran Van 3000, Prism, and more! Visit rtlkelowna.com for info and tickets.
Kelowna ComiCon 2023
This event has been a big hit over the years. Come out August 19 to 20 and get your geek on. Kids 12 and under are free. Lots of vendors, artists and special guest appearances! Tickets and info at kelownacomicon.com
WEST KELOWNA
Music in the Park
Every Friday night this summer, come out to the Annette Beaudreau Amphitheatre at Memorial Park (3737 Old Okanagan Hwy.) for free entertainment. Good family fun from 6:30 to 9 p.m. until August 25, 2023. There are food trucks too! More info online at westkelownacity.ca.
PENTICTON/OK FALLS
Frälik in the Falls
Mark July 22 on your calendar for an evening of fräliking and frivolity. Bring the gang to Centennial Park, Okanagan Falls, for 90 minutes of wine tasting (Okanagan Falls Skaha Lake Winery Association), dinner by BRODO Kitchens, live music by Uncorked!, a silent auction in support of Penticton Excel, and dancing!
Peach Fest 2023
Come out for five days of free family fun from August 9 to 13. This 76th Annual event includes a rodeo, an industrial show, a parade, and a crowning ceremony. There’s a film festival and live music including Canada’s Kim Mitchell, Aaron Pritchett, 54:40 and the Hip Replacements to name but a few. All performances are in Okanagan Lake Park and it’s free! Visit peachfest.com for more info.
OLIVER/OSOYOOS
Oliver Music in the Park
There’s nothing like sunshine and live music and you’ll get plenty of that at Music in the Park every Thursday from July 6 to Aug 24. The music starts at 6:30 and ends at 8 p.m. And if there’s no sunshine, they have a venue if it rains! Visit oliverartscouncil.org and click on events for more info.
Osoyoos Music in the Park
Yes, we have a lot of parks and we have a lot of live music! And best of all they are free. Live music at the Osoyoos Gyro Bandshell every Friday from 6:30 to 8:30 pm until September 1, 2023. Go to osoyoosmusicinthepark.com for the full lineup.
SIMILKAMEEN
Keremeos Grist Mill
The Grist Mill has live music events in the evening throughout the summer. They also have special Sunday dinners, so check out their info at oldgristmill.ca. Tickets are required.
Princeton/Tulameen Events
Come out for the Tulameen Family Fun Days on the August long weekend. You can take in the horseshoe tournament and a parade. There are beer gardens, duck races and a pancake breakfast.
Don’t miss out on the Princeton Community market every Saturday in the summer from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Veterans Square (Corner of Bridge Street & Vermilion Ave) Lots of local and in-season products and crafts.
EVERYWHERE
Almost every city and town in BC has their version of farmers’ and crafters’ markets. There are dozens of great concerts, live theatre events and local celebrations. Look them up online and choose the ones that fit your schedule.